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Trust, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “one in which confidence is placed.” Trust is the basis for every solid relationship and is the supernatural fiber that connects divine and human. Trust is different than understanding. It is possible to understand something and trust it or not, the same way it is possible to trust someone or something with or without understanding. Trust is humble recognition that there is someone who knows more or is able to handle a situation better than we can. Trust is a willingness to give up our illusions about ourselves and the situation in exchange for the truth. It is openness to changing our perspective and releasing our desire to control. It is doing our best and letting God/J do the rest. Trust is the ultimate test of faith as it believes based on an inner knowing versus believing based solely on evidence.

“You will keep in perfect peace

those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in you.”

~ Isaiah 26:3 ~

God/J only asks that we trust, which means keeping our focus only on Him, and, in so doing, we are promised perfect peace. Notice the phrase, “perfect peace”, which means peace in all areas of life, body, heart, mind, and soul. One of the greatest and most challenging things we can do is trust God/J for all things, to believe Him even if the physical evidence says otherwise. The devil works hard to convince us that when things aren’t going the way we hoped that God/J has forgotten about us or isn’t hearing our prayers. It is easy, during times of growth, for us to forget all the wonderful blessings God/J has given us in the past, all the promises He has made for us to prosper, and to wonder if it is ever going to get better. We are constantly presented with opportunities let go and let God/J, to put God/J above all else, and to trust God/J loves us and is working all things out for our good.

Two pieces of iron enter the fire.

The first has little tolerance for the fire,

and, believing his master has forgotten him, jumps out.

The second, while finding the fire uncomfortable,

trusts his master to pull him out at the perfect time.

The first piece of iron becomes a horseshoe.

The second piece of iron becomes a spring in a Rolex watch.

Which piece of iron are You?

Trust is the main ingredient of faith, and faith is the foundation of miracles. Faith is a spiritual muscle, and it only grows as it is tested. The resistance of weight on the muscle is what strengthens it, the same way our faith grows through testing and usage. The human race is being offered an invitation to grow in faith, to have a deeper relationship with God/J, to mature in spiritual awareness, to evolve to a higher state of consciousness, and for this, there is an admittance fee, which is faith. People are experiencing life-altering events including: financial security being redefined, loved ones (both people and pets) abruptly passing from the physical to spiritual realm, relationships transitioning, and time dissolving faster than ever. We are required to create new solutions as old methodologies are rendered ineffective. The slate is being wiped clean as anything we have been avoiding; anything swept under the emotional carpet and cleverly hidden in our mental corners is being brought into light for examination and release. The change we prayed for is here, even if it is in a different package than we expected or hoped. We are being redefined and refined to step fully into the new decade of greater spiritual consciousness. We are being offered the choice to believe God’s/J’s promise of working all things out for good or not. We are being offered a greater opportunity to experience mature Love.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well.”

~ Matthew 6:33 ~

It is easy to Love when a person or situation is lovable. It requires greater courage, humility, openness, patience, and strength to believe, Love, and trust when a person or situation seems unlovable in one way or another. The question then becomes, “Am I loving for the sake of loving, an opportunity to give Love, or am I loving with expectations, a way of getting Love? Spiritual maturity chooses the former and Loves especially when it asks more of the individual. Surviving Haitians, following a massive hurricane in January 2010, were heard praising God/J and singing so loudly that passengers could hear them as their airplanes landed on Haiti. How could they praise and worship at such a time when precious loved ones and prize possessions disappeared in an instant? They were focused on what God/J was providing for them in the moment, counting the blessings God/J was continuing to bestow on them in the form of help and supplies, and aware of the Love they still were able to give. They found joy in focusing on God/J and sharing Love in one of its most powerful, purest forms, gratitude.

“In God We Trust”

~ United States currency ~

Pioneers of the United States left England with a vision of something better, a country where all men were equal under God/J. The desired change came with a hefty price, which meant exchanging certainty for uncertainty, comfort for discomfort, and risking their lives for freedom. Their vision of what could be and supreme trust in their God/J, whom they believed to be Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, motivated them to bravely leave everything familiar with the intention of creating a legacy of equality and freedom for their grandchildren’s grandchildren. “In God We Trust”, first appeared on U.S. coins in 1864 and on U.S. paper currency in 1957. Trusting God/J means believing Him (versus worrying or looking to others) to provide innovation, instructions, and resources to prosper in every way in any circumstance. I trust God/J. How about You?

“Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge.

Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.”

~ John Adams ~

America is being offered an opportunity to take up her faith again, to carry on the legacy created for her by her grandparent’s’ grandparents. She is being nurtured and pruned to grow healthy and strong as her people are being asked to step up and be all they can be. The time for coasting is over, and we are being asked to put into practice what we have learned. We are being asked to put into practice everything we have learned, to be the change we seek in the world, to be the leaders we desire to have, to be the catalyst for change in our churches, governments, homes, offices, and schools. We are being asked to step up. We are being asked to hold a vision in our hearts and work without ceasing toward making that vision a reality. We are being asked to reclaim, redefine, rejuvenate, renew, and replenish ourselves and those around us. We are caterpillars invited to step inside the cocoon to become beautiful butterflies. We are being offered the opportunity to be Love Ambassadors, to Love when and where and whom it is most difficult and most desired. I am a Love Abassador. Join me, please, will You?

Do You ever wonder why some people live like paupers and others like royalty? Why do some people have seemingly perfect lives while others appear to struggle to make it through the day? Is it the lottery of life where random selections makes some born winners and others born losers? Is it a divine choice where God/J predetermines the lives we have in our human bodies? Are we all puzzle pieces designed to fit intricately together to form a magnificent tapestry? Perhaps it is a bit of everything.

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience.

We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

~ Teilhard de Chardin ~

What if we choose our path, our purpose, our destiny in this world? What if we have an executive meeting while still in our spiritual state in which we collaborate with God/J for our journey on earth? What if, prior to our arrival, we share with God/J our objectives for lessons we would like to learn that can only be experienced through a human body? What if our demography, physicality, and relationships are all constructed to help us understand that which we most desire to learn? What if life is happen for us rather than to us?

“Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you.

Everything happens at exactly the right moment,

neither too soon nor too late.”

~ Byron Katie ~

Many wise spiritual gurus advocate that we do indeed choose our path in our physical body. We make a series of choices that lead us to earth remembering little, if nothing, of our pre-human existence. God/J provides us with a direct connection to Him via our conscience, intuition, and prayer, so we can dial in when we would like assistance in making appropriate choices. God/J is a gentleman and only comes in when we ask for help and otherwise leaves us to our own devices.

“God created the law of free will, and God created the law of cause and effect.

And he himself will not violate the law. We need to be thinking less in terms of what God did

and more in terms of whether or not we are following those laws.”

~ Marianne Williamson ~

I used to believe the theory of “free will” of choosing our lives on this earth was absolutely ridiculous. Who, after all, would choose to live in a third world country scavenging garbage dumps to feed their children versus living in a mansion with gourmet meals prepared by a personal chef? Who would choose to be abandoned, addicted, or bullied versus being in loving, nurturing relationships? Who would choose to struggle to survive versus receiving easily and thriving? The question of choice marinaded in my mind for years, and the answer gestated until I was mature enough to receive it.

“Perfect love drives out fear.”

~ 1 John 4:18 ~

Love. Love is the answer. Love is always the answer. Every situation involving suffering is an opportunity to share Love. It provides an environment for us to engage our very core, recognizing that essentially we are all the same. We desire to be heard, to be loved, to matter, and to make a difference in the world. Those who have less, who experience unspeakable things, those whose lives are unrecognizable after being turned upside down and inside out provide us with the opportunity to give the best of ourselves. Every person, relationship, and situation is an opportunity to Love with the purest of hearts, giving for the joy of it without asking anything in return.

“Well, in Whoville they say that

the Grinch’s small heart

grew three sizes that day.”

~ Dr. Seuss ~

The time has come for us to graduate and put into action what we know while continuing to grow and learn. Our greatest teachers, like Oprah Winfrey, are confident that we are ready, that we have the appropriate skills and tools to be our best selves in every circumstance. The time has come for us to fill ourselves to overflow that we might share our blessings with others. Time to celebrate all of our God-given gifts and talents and to employ them to their fullest capacity in service to others. Time to lend our angel wings to those whose wings are still growing. Time to claim our destinies, make our dreams reality, and live our truest purposes, and in so doing, shine our light even more brightly into the world. Time to exchange our old stories for The Truth, to trade being victims for being victorious. The time has come for borders to be dissolved, for differences to be set aside, and for us to join together to raise everyone up. Time to go where there is only a path and leaving a trail. Time to use every resource to become our best selves. Time to make mature choices and respond versus react. Time to flex our spiritual muscles by choosing Love as our only response even when ego desires to indulge in separation instead of unity. Time to stop talking and start being and doing. Time to be the change we wish to see in the world. Time to look into one another’s eyes and see a reflection of ourselves, of God, and of Peace. Time to trade fear for Love so that Love to is the anthem beating in the heart of every living being on the planet. Time to stand up for Love.

“To love another person is

to see the face of God.”

~ Victor Hugo ~

I am, in my own life, standing up for Love. Has it brought with it evil attacks? Yes Does it bring with it many opportunities for growth? Yes. Does it require help? Always. It requires, for me, a submission of myself to something I know is greater than I can ever be on my own. I, on my own, am tempted to respond sarcastically or fight fire with fire. I have found strength in asking God/J to work through me versus doing it on my own. God/J is not Who He is so often made out to be. He so desires for us to know He cherishes each of us individually, that each and everyone one of us is His Favorite. The majestic blessings He has for us sometimes require wiping the slate clean and starting fresh, which requires a whole lot of faith and trust on our part. We can be and do more in direct proportion to our willingness to open a space inside ourselves and submit to God’s Will for our life. He always, always, always has grander dreams for us than we have for ourselves.

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over,

it became a butterfly.”

~ Anonymous ~

Diamonds are created by pressure. Iron is forged by fire. Pearls are born from the oysters’ irritations. Stone is polished by the raging waters. Miracles are born through Love. We are made stronger and wiser by our life experiences. The more massive the circumstance, the more magnificent the forthcoming blessing. The key is, like the caterpillar, trusting the gestation process. It may seem like the world as You know it is falling away, which may be so. It may be that your closest relationships dissolve regardless of anything You do. It may be that precious things in your life are washed away. Your automobile, career, clothes, house, and relationships are not who You are, they are things gifted to You on your journey. Who You are is God’s BeLoved, and nothing can change that fact. Everything in your life can fall away, and God/J has a plan for your life. He has a plan and is simply awaiting your permission to begin working in your life. God/J is Love, and Love always wins, even if it takes some time. Keep believing, keep dreaming, keep trusting, and keep loving.

Then followed that beautiful season… Summer…Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscapeLay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~

Summer has arrived. Let the celebration commence! The harshness of winter’s chill is forgotten and replaced by billowy curtains dancing in the fragrant sun-warmed breeze blowing through wide-open windows Chlorine-sunscreen tinted air reminds us ’tis the season of barbecuing, sunbathing, water sports, and puppy love. Children’s laughter tickles our eardrums. The succulent fragrance of freshly cut grass and the roar of the neighbor’s lawnmower rouses us early Saturday morning.

Leisure is the word of the season, where work is replaced with play. Blowing bubbles, bicycle rides, hopscotch, hammock-lounging, random games of frisbee, and sleeping under the stars are the norm. Academic lessons are traded for life lessons in the world’s classroom. Reading transitions from a requirement to pleasure. Life happens at a slower, more respectable pace. We allow ourselves to indulge and savor the moment. Summer is the magical land where dreams become reality, and we speak expressly in the language of Love and possibility.

I declare this to be the summer of “Yes”. “Yes,” to change, “Yes,” to dreams, “Yes,” to new experiences, “Yes,” to opportunity, “Yes,” to turning the page and writing a new chapter, “Yes,” to God’s/J’s purpose, and “Yes,” to God’s/J’s every blessing. I will respond versus react, believe instead of dismiss, step up rather than shrink back, trust versus doubt, and allow Love to dissolve the illusion of fear. I choose Grace, Peace, Love, and Fun. How about You?

“Choose wisely, for while the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you.”

~ Grail Knight, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Congratulations on your willingness to educate yourself about the truth about what really goes on the farming industry. You may be asking yourself after watching these videos, “What can I do? How can I help?” The answer is simple. Choose wisely. Choose Love.

“The first wealth is health.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am a vegetarian and almost complete vegan and have been for many years. People always seem to be astonished and full of questions when they discover my choice, asking me, “How do you get your protein? What do You eat?” and so on. I gladly share with them the story of how I came to be vegetarian and why I continue to be today. Their eyes widen with amazement and surprise as I share with them information about the emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits, the truth about the animal industry, and tips to top health, some of which I am sharing with You today.

I changed my diet in response to some health issues as an alternative to medication. I transformed my diet from meat, enriched flour products, and sugar to fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It initially felt like going to the gym after not having been for a while. I was retraining my body and mind, which meant consciously choosing what was best for me, even if it didn’t “feel” right in the moment. I eventually began experiencing the benefits, and my lifestyle choice became a natural way of being. The results were surprisingly positive. I felt full more often, had more energy, exercised more, slept more deeply, and my cholesterol and weight were lower and healthier. My thoughts were clearer, and my mood was happier. I was literally a new person.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

“We are what we eat” is truer than most realize. The body constantly creates and replenishes cells, tissues, etc., and the nutrition with which is supplied is the building block of every cell in the body. The increase in cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc., is directly connected to the increased consumption of processed food and sugar. The body and mind “learn” behaviors they are taught, including “liking” certain foods because it is all they know. “Comfort food” is aptly named because it feels good and tastes good to eat emotionally and physically. Food can easily cross from being a source of nutrition to an addiction, making it even more crucial to create healthy, nurturing menus.

What is the difference between vegetarian and vegan? The Princeton Dictionary describes a vegetarian as an “eater of fruits and grains and nuts; someone who eats no meat or fish or (often) any animal products.” Vegan is described by The Princeton Dictionary as “a strict vegetarian; someone who eats no animal or dairy products at all.” There is a certain stigma attached to being vegetarian and vegan that will hopefully disappear the more people begin to experience the associated benefits. People tend to associate their identity with their body and the food they consume, which is why topics on fitness, health, and nutrition are more popular than ever.

“To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one’s family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one’s own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.” ~ Buddha

There is a tremendous amount of information about the health and humanitarian benefits of being vegetarian and vegan. Physicians including Dr. Memit Oz and Dr. Gary Null are increasingly encouraging vegetarianism and veganism. Dr. Gary Null has helped alleviate arthritis, cancer, and similar issues simply by helping people consume healthy, nutrition food in the proper combination. Powerful, successful, wealthy individuals including, Paul McCartney, vegetarian, and Russell Simmons, vegan are adamant about animal rights.

Russell Simmons shares very potent points for his choosing a vegan lifestyle…

“The more I opened myself up to the idea of the full scope of exactly what non-violence translates to, the less interested I became in consuming the energy associated with the flesh of an animal that only knew suffering in his/her life and pain and terror in its death. The more I learned about factory farming and the cruelty animals raised for food must endure before they are led (or dragged) to slaughter, the more I realized that I could not, in good conscience, be a contributor to such violence. …Being a thoughtful vegan makes our time on this Earth more peaceful and joyous, because you get to have a hand in promoting and increasing the happiness, good health and well-being of others — both animal and human — rather than being an instrument of their suffering and death. …The impact on the Earth from eating meat is mind-blowing. Every year in the U.S., more than 27 billion animals are slaughtered for food. Meat consumption is poisoning and depleting our potable water, land and pure, clean air. More than half of the water used in the United States today goes to animal agriculture, and since animals on factory farms produce 130 times more waste than the human population, the result is polluting our waterways. Animal excrement emits gases, such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which poison the air around farms, as well as methane and nitrous oxide, all resulting in the number one cause of global warming.” ~ Russell Simmons (Read more: http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2010/12/russell_simmons_why_im_vegan_1210.php#ixzz1KOLfofWa)

Paul McCartney reveals the epiphany that led him to becoming vegetarian.

“Many years ago, I was fishing, and as I was reeling in the poor fish, I realised, “I am killing him – all for the passing pleasure it brings me.” Something inside me clicked. I realised as I watched him fight for breath, that his life was important to him as mine is to me.” ~ Paul McCartney (Read more: http://veggietestimonial.peta.org/psa.aspx?CID=11bdc370-ff5f-46c2-a206-ed3b0b2241d2)

Alicia Silverstone shares, “My body has never felt better and my taste buds have been opened up to a whole new world. It’s one of the most rewarding choices I’ve ever made and I invite you to join me in living a healthy, cruelty-free lifestyle. …Going vegan is the single best thing I’ve done in my life. I am so much happier and more confident. I made a decision based on my moral beliefs.” (Read more: http://www.thekindlife.com)

Prince refrains from cursing and “eating anything with parents” because he believes, “Thou shalt not kill means just that!”

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

Please consider that Paul McCartney, Russell Simmons and many other creative, successful, talented individuals who have traveled the world over chooses vegetarianism and veganism. Please remember the images and information You have seen and read here. May the images of these animals remain foremost in your mind especially in the dairy and butcher sections of the grocery store and when viewing a restaurant menu. May You be inspired to choose fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains. May You choose compassion and kindness toward all living creatures. May You choose to be the solution.

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” ~ Mother Teresa

Additional Information…

Do You know that…
– red meat is a factor in many diseases, including heart disease, the number one issue for women
– dairy products, including eggs, milk, and cheese line the inside of the stomach preventing full digesting and absorption of vital nutrients
– some beans, nuts, and vegetables have more protein than meat
– cravings are the body crying out for appropriate nutrition
– sleep and water are key ingredients that actually help reset your body
– drinking more water, adding a salad to your main meals, and choosing mixed nuts instead of chips help You feel full, digest more fully, and have more energy

Please visit the following websites to support animal rights
www.mercyforanimals.org
www.peta.org

Please visit the following websites to begin making healthy choices…
www.chooseveg.com
www.doctoroz.com
www.garynull.com

You are cordially invited …invited to slow down. Be in the Moment. Breathe. Count Your Blessings. Relax. Rest. Enjoy. This invitation is as much for You as it is a reminder for me to do the same. It seems there is always somewhere to go, something to do, someone with whom to connect, a project to finish, a question to be answered, and the list goes on. What about cuddling with, snuggling up to, and nestling in the moment? What about being still and being present now?

Patience and Diligence, like faith, remove mountains.

~ William Penn ~

Imagine days gone by when transportation was by foot or horse and carriage, plumbing was outdoors only, water was something collected from the well, dinner was something caught in the wild, candlelight was more than ambiance, laundry was clothes beaten by rocks in the chilly river, and communication was hand-written letters. Thank You, God/J and the Industrial Revolution, for mass producing automobiles, clothing, cellular telephones, computers, microwaves, refrigerators, stoves, televisions, and washing machines. How quickly we have progressed to an era of modern conveniences beyond perhaps even our ancestors’ imaginations.

The passion for dominion and delight for creation drives humanity in the pursuit of better, bigger, faster, more. We live in an “instant” culture. Everything is instantly available at our fingertips, including: communication, film, food, information, literature, media, and music. Credit has allowed us to have bigger homes and more “stuff”, which seems proportional to stress. Is it coincidental that debt, health concerns, and social issues have risen in proportion to our better, bigger, faster, more philosophy? We are so conditioned to receiving things immediately that being in a checkout line or waiting a few minutes for a file to download seems like eternity. We have access to more information that we can possibly digest in several lifetimes, and we race daily to select and prioritize the most important bits to consume. I imagine our great-great grandparents having a good chuckle at us scurrying around like crazed ants, anxious to regale us with tales beginning with, “in my day”.

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion.

These three are your greatest treasures.

~ Lao Tzu ~

What does the Twenty-First century hold for us? Society has reached a point of critical mass where we have become inundated with “stuff”, and shows like Hoarders and Intervention show the results of consumerism on society. Engineers and global leaders are investigating how to be better stewards of Mother Earth, developing product cycles that actually benefit and cultivate the environment in the process. Changing times have inspired people to reconsider their choices and reprioritize what is most important.

Have patience with all things,

and first of all with yourself.

~ Saint Francis de Sales ~

We seem to have gotten so caught up in having everything immediately that our good friend, Patience, has gotten mixed up in the shuffle. Does Patience have a purpose today, and how well does she serve us? Wikipedia defines patience as, “the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance or anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties.” An ancient proverb states that all things come to one who has patience, and Turks suggest patience is the key to paradise.

Patience is the companion of wisdom.

~ Saint Augustine ~

Patience, a cousin of Faith and Love, blesses us in exchange for our willingness to open our hearts to her. She asks that we trust all things are being sorted for our good. She invites us to believe that we are developing the skills and receiving the tools preparing us to triumph in our journey. She offers us the opportunity to explore ourselves more deeply and honestly. She gifts us with grace when we are willing to be comfortable in our own skin. She instills within us secret strength we didn’t know we possess, supreme courage to walk by faith, and the ability to surrender ourselves to a divine order beyond our control and understanding. She offers us the experience of developing, growing, and stretching ourselves, much like the caterpillar transforming into a butterfly.

Every great dream begins with a dreamer.

Always remember, you have within you the strength,

the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

~ Harriet Tubman ~

Thomas Edison, Nelson Mandela, Conan O’Brien, and Miranda Lambert all partnered with Patience and were blessed with sweet rewards. Thomas Edison, a master inventor, who created the phonograph, motion picture camera, and long-lasting light bulb, credits common sense, hard work, and stick-to-itiveness to his success. Edison, a champion of Patience, declared, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Nelson Mandela’s popularity as a leader grew during his 27 years in prison, and today is a world-renown leader fostering equality, peace, and unification. Conan O’ Brien’s notoriety surged following the cancellation of his show. Loyalty to his vision brought a new show in his ideal time slot and cultivated within a more genuine, jovial personality. Miranda Lambert was nominated for various music awards in 2009, sitting through various shows graciously watching many of the awards go to Taylor Swift. The following year, Miranda became engaged to her long-time beau, Blake Shelton and won several awards on her birthday, later receiving a Grammy award. Miranda received the awards at the perfect time for her because of Patience.

A man who is a master of patience is master of everything else.

~ George Savile ~

Patience is a virtue perhaps because of the dedication and diligence required to cultivate it. It is a choice fed with steady hands, an openness to believe in the good, and a willingness to “be” with ourselves. How many of us shudder at the thought of be-ing with ourselves? We have so many wonderful distractions allowing us to superficially connect to the world. Can we embrace our naked hearts, minds, souls, and spirits, and say, “I Love You and accept You just as You are,” Patience offers us the opportunity to be here now, to be our authentic selves, to delve deeper into our secret places and to emerge with a new sense of self, a new Love for self. Patience allows us to hear the Voice of God/J within our hearts, whispering, “I Am Here. All Is Well. I Love You.”

He that can have patience can have what he will.

~Benjamin Franklin ~

Patience is a wise mentor, and I have decided to begin making friends with her. She can help me accept, grow into and Love myself and God/J in a deeper way, and in doing that, allow me to be more understanding of others. I suppose deep down the truth is our real desire is to BeLoved, and it’s much easier to be generous and loving when we feel like we have an abundance to give. Perhaps those times in line are an opportunity to make a new friend, and being in traffic is a good time to give praise for our blessings. Maybe those times where things don’t make sense and seem as if they are going awry are opportunities to be kind to ourselves and others, to Love unconditionally. Patience reveals that Peace is ours in any situation the moment we choose to be still and recognize God/J in and around us. I am inviting Patience to go with me on my journey. Will You invite her along with You, too?

“Your task is not to seek for love, merely to seek and find all the barriers

within yourself that you have built against it.”

~ Rumi ~

My Fair Wedding with David Tutera has rapidly has become one of my favorite shows. David has a glorious gift of creating spectacular events and helping people live their dreams in the process. He teaches what it means to honor the highest self and the joy of living fully in the now. He illustrates the significance of creating magical experiences and reveals every moment is a special event when we choose it to be. David is the master of possibility and the dream maker, who goes beyond imagination and breathes life into the spectacular dreams in people’s hearts.

David embracing his unique talent allows him to be his most authentic self while continuing to blossom and grow, blessing others in the process. David being his marvelous self motivates me to see myself and the world more beautifully and, more importantly, to experience myself more honestly and wholly. I have begun asking myself… Am I honoring God/J by living my highest purpose? Am I fully using my gifts and talents? Am I living my dreams? Am I creating beautiful experiences? Am I loving and valuing myself and others? Are abundance, generosity, joy, and Love the foundations for my decisions? Am I choosing fear or Love?

“Fear comes from uncertainty.

Once you clarify your purpose for doing something,

the way to do it becomes clear.”

~ Oprah Winfrey ~

I am beginning to understand the importance, power, and value of being present in the moment. Moments merge time and space into a singular creative, spiritual force that is the essence of change. Birthday. Congratulations. Family. Friend. First. Home. I Love You. New. Surprise. Sympathy. Wedding. Welcome. Moments are the springboard for experiences, growth, and opportunities, the threads that weave the tapestry of our lives. Am I cherishing and honoring or analyzing and critiquing? Am I reacting and surviving or am I creating, intending, responding, and thriving? Joyce Meyer says wisdom is making choices today that one will be glad about tomorrow. What am I choosing for myself in this moment?

“It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped”

~ Tony Robbins ~

Heath Ledger’s performance in, The Dark Knight still resonates deeply with me. Heath is a brilliant talent extinguished senselessly with seemingly so much talent to be expressed and shared. My heart moved as I began thinking about the idea of “last”, recognizing that each breath is a gift, every action is a choice, and decisions are the building block in one’s “legacy”. I began pondering what is between me and living my dreams? Energy? Money? Motivation? Talent? Time? The list goes on, and every answer has one common denominator. Me. What kind of a life am I creating for myself? What do I believe is possible for me?

“Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue,

and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.”

~ The Wizard of Oz ~

Love, is the most creative, healing, inspiring, powerful, wise force in the universe living inside of every living being. Is my intention giving Love, getting Love, or simply being Love? How often I go into the world seeking Love, forgetting that I am BeLoved. We are seated right in the center of God’s/J’s heart and made in His likeness and image, Love. Babies are created by “making Love”, and every cell within us is Love. How would I show up if I deliberately choose to go into the world seeking to identify and celebrate Love?

“To love another person is to see the face of God.”

~ Victor Hugo ~

What if dreams are a co-created blueprint with God/J instructing me how to be blessed to be a blessing to others? What if everything my heart desires is ready and waiting for me …waiting for me to be ready and willing to receive? What if every dream is at my fingertips and simply a matter of giving myself permission …permission to Love and BeLoved. What if I stopped assessing my own worthiness and started simply being? What if Love is the criteria by which I make every decision? What if I act from a place of joy and self-love, celebrating God/J within myself and others?

“Power is perfected in weakness.”

~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 ~

Love is who we are, and it is also a choice. It’s easy to love people when they are behaving in a lovable way, whether it be ourselves or others. What about our “flaws”? God/J doesn’t see imperfections, and so why do we? Byron Katie suggests the “flaws” we see in others are opportunities to recognize what we most desire to love within ourselves. It suggests, then, by learning to love our whole selves, trusting our soul wisdom, that we are capable of fully loving others. Perhaps this is why Jesus instructed us to love our neighbors as ourselves. What about loving people (including ourselves), who are behaving in an unlovely fashion? What if we began recognizing it as a cry for love and an opportunity to give Love instead of getting Love?

“Love answers all things.”

A very wise coach recently reminded me of the importance of claiming joy and embracing and loving myself the way I wish to be loved by others. David Tutera is teaching me the importance of making each moment sparkle. Rumi is offering me the opportunity to see God is Love and begin opening my heart to receive. I am making more deliberate and intentional decisions and creating empowered thoughts that foster joy and peace. I am scripting my destiny with every action, thought, and word, weaving the tapestry of my legacy one action, one choice, and one experience at a time. I am sharing a page in Dorothy’s book, that “if I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own back yard because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with.” I am choosing Love even when it’s not easy and doesn’t make sense. I am choosing Love especially when it requires courage and strength. Fire refines iron, and the raging brook smooths the stone. I desire to Love like God does, to honor people’s free will, to live and let live, to see the starlight in everyone, and to be the Love I wish to see in the world. I choose Love.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong.
There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right.
To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

Do what You can with what You have from where You are now.

Bryan Gaynor, computer science major of Kennesaw State University, Georgia, has a secret love. Dance. He also has a not so secret health issue, scoliosis, which influences his dancing. Bryan is charismatic and instantly endearing with an obvious passion for life, music, and most especially dance. He knows the secret of success as has collaborates with his body and creates a unique dance style that stirs the hearts of audiences worldwide.

“You’ve taken your physical appearance, your size, and everything else and you’ve used it to your advantage brilliantly. What else could anyone ask of you. That was just sensational. Brilliant!”

Bryan chooses to believe in the beauty of creation, the power of art, and Love, his love for dance. Bryan parented an entirely new form of dance because his dance was too much a part of him to let it go. He made a way and inspires others in the process of doing what he loves.

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

Taylor Swift is another prime example of someone who has created her own road. Taylor’s decision early on to become a country star stayed her focus upon her goal transforming every block into a stepping stone. She shattered the music industry’s illusions by going against everything she was “supposed to be” to succeed. Taylor channeled her feelings of social outcast into teaching herself guitar and writing songs, developing her trademark candor ultimately catapulting her to international success. Taylor’s determination to live her passion led her to create an entirely new sound that redefined the music industry worldwide.

What if we listen to our dreams and passions? What if we allow our talents to lead us? What if we believe in ourselves? What if we know we are enough and feel lovable and worthy of every blessing intended for us? What if we chose to perceive everything a gift of wisdom helping us to live our dreams? What if we celebrate what is going right and use our strengths to bless one another? What if we choose to believe life is happening for us? What if we make a conscious choice to exchange being victimized for being victorious?

I made a life-altering decision this year …to find the blessing and to choose Love and Peace in every situation. It required something unexpected …for me to be gentle with and kind to myself. Those who know me would suggest it is an understatement when I say I was harshly self-analytical consistently focusing on what could be improved and how to improve it. I was in a constant mindset of “not enough” being critical of everything because I believed it was motivating me to grow. My spirit, one day, grew very weary of feeling as though it simply could never measure up, and it said, “Time to rest.”. Spirit is our life force and pretty much runs the show. “Now what,” I asked? Spirit said, “You are Beloved, so just Be. Be Love and Be Loved.”

Everything changed in an instant, and I began to see more clearly exactly how loved we are that God/J created an entire universe as our classroom and playground. We are here to grow and learn, and beauty and strength is found in our imperfections. My entire paradigm shifted, and everyday has become a gift. How am I growing? What am I learning? Who am I becoming? I choose to celebrate everyone’s uniqueness and focus on the positive. I also seek to identify the blessings in everything, which sometimes requires creativity and deeper thought.

I used to think acknowledging one’s strengths was conceited, narcissistic, and self-aggrandizing and was certainly surprised to discover the opposite was true. There is a difference between touting one’s self from a position of insecurity versus being grounded in peace and true self-love, and it is okay if it sometimes takes the former to get to the later. Self-Love is fruit from the Tree of Life, which nourishes one to be a blessing to others.

“Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love”, a heartwarming story by Larry Levin, chronicles Oogy’s harrowing tale of barely surviving after being baited for fight dogs. He was left in a cage for five days without food or water with a hole in his head and other serious wounds. Oogy eventually connected with an amazing family, who adopted him as one of their own. Levin pondered, “I’ve often wondered what kept this dog going – this dog, who never knew any human warmth or kindness …and he couldn’t stop kissing us.” He is an excellent example that imperfection provides a greater opportunity to connect more deeply, heart-to-heart, spirit-to-spirit. Levin shares, “Oogy is a sign of encouragement because inevitably everyone’s going to go through some horrible stuff in their lives. You just can’t skip it. This dog is living proof that you can go through the most obscene experience and come out okay on the other side and find love on the other side.” Oogy’s story confirms the reality that we are all spiritually connected, beyond the physical, reminding us that, at our core, we are Love.

Faith is easy when things go well. Love is simple when people behave lovingly. What about when someone or something is imperfect? Do we give up, walk away, write it off, or do we recognize the opportunity for deeper Love? Do we celebrate the beauty, strength, and gifts in imperfections? Choosing Love goes beyond, helping our hearts, minds, and spirits mature. Love nurtures potential, recognizes possibilities, and is the seed for miracles. I choose Love.

May You see yourself through the eyes of our brilliant Creator understanding You are a glorious gift and a blessing in the world. Know your “flaws” are “on purpose”, beautiful to the Creator, and offer You the opportunity to Love yourself more deeply in order to Love others more genuinely. Imperfections are greater windows through which Love can flow. May You celebrate the unique and wonderful treasures You bring to the world. May You courageously be your marvelously authentic self radiating brilliant light and inspiring others to shine with You. May joy, Love, and peace fill your heart, mind, soul, and universe. Know You are cherished, exquisite, and protected. You are a divine miracle. You are BeLoved. ღ

The Princeton Dictionary defines gratitude as “a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation”, and Wikipedia describes it as “a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive”. Gratitude is mutually beneficial for the giver and receiver, a win-win situation. “Thank You” feels good whether you hear it or say it, especially if you are blessing someone’s life. Recent attention has been brought to the importance of gratitude in manifesting one’s desires. Law of attraction suggests advanced praise activates attracting one’s desires. Spirituality also confirms the importance of remaining grateful in every situation as a way of activating and receiving blessings.

“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand;

gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life

and into the lives of all those around you.”

~ Eileen Caddy ~

Why is gratitude important?

Neale Donald Walsch, author of “Conversations with God”, suggests our souls choose certain situations ripe with valuable lessons to gain greater wisdom. He reveals that accessing this knowledge shifts one’s perspective to automatically engage gratitude. Gregg Braden, author of “The Divine Matrix”, suggests gratitude is fundamental to our survival as we approach 21 December 2012, the dawning of a new world age. He reveals the future of the world is currently being shaped by what people choose to believe, and the future is literally being created by the thoughts people think. Gregg states this new world age accounts for many people who have been affected by the random passing of loved ones and other curious events in recent years. He shares that we are being offered massive growth opportunities to step into higher consciousness and experience a greater sense of gratitude than ever before.

How can gratitude work for me?

2010 has been a crazy year for many people, including me. I found myself searching for a deeper understanding of God and universe in an attempt to make sense of the year’s weird happenings. I explored religious philosophies and scientific theories, which only led to more questions. My life began to seem like an alternate reality, and one day I simply prayed to know The Truth. It seemed like it was one thing after another, and I was at my wit’s end. I was attempting to make a note of something with a brand new ink pen that simply wasn’t cooperating. Have you ever had one of those weeks where it seems everything is going the opposite way in which you’d like? Well, I was there, and this just was just too much. I asked aloud, “What do you want from me? How do I get things to work out for me?”

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;

and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

~ Matthew 7:7-8 ~

Ask, and You shall receive.

God (or Jehovah as I call Him), or however you choose to address Him, spoke to me as clearly as if you and I were having a conversation. He said, “Stop asking me for things, and start trusting Me. Surrender your heart to Me. You are my child, and I know your heart. I love you and am working all things out for your good even if it doesn’t make sense now. Pray with praise as if you have your heart’s desires. Say ‘Thank You’ instead of ‘Please’, and remember to praise on others’ behalf, too.” The Voice disappeared as quickly as it appeared, and I sat in humbled in silence.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

~ Philippians 4:4-6 ~

Did I imagine The Voice? Could something this simple really work? The ink pen had embossed lovely scrolls on the paper where I had been scribbling without success. I took a breath and said, in my head, “Thank You for this pen writing.” The pen magically began writing within seconds. I was certain it must merely be coincidence. I began testing the gratitude principle on other things, including a challenging situation beyond my control, and even that began to transform almost instantly. I was quite pleasantly surprised by the immediately positive results …all from saying, “Thank You” in advance. I was, in a word …astonished.

Why is gratitude so effective?

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘Thank You,’ that would suffice.”

Gratitude is the ultimate confirmation of faith because it is so certain of receiving that it praises in advance. Someone once explained it to me this way – we know gravity is a law; therefore, we go through the day trusting it is active without questioning it. True faith is the same principle. We walk in belief knowing that we will see what we believe versus waiting to believe until we see.

Words, words everywhere in what you hear, speak, and think …and what you drink?!?

Dr. Masaru Emoto’s book, “Hidden Messages in Water” chronicles the effects of words on water. Dr. Emoto discovered that words affect the formation of water crystals. Beautiful words create elegant, intricate crystals, and unappealing words form unattractive and misshapen crystals. Test it yourself by creating an easy home experiment utilizing cooked rice. (Details on conducting the experiment are included at the end of the video.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZDOPQRdxJM

How is Dr. Emoto’s work significant for you? Water defines over seventy percent of the human body, which means everything that is heard, spoken, or thought creates a vibration in water affecting every single cell in the body. How? The human body is a group of atoms vibrating so quickly that it gives the illusion of being a solid mass. Jefferson Lab estimates the average human body is 7*1027 atoms (7,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) – that is seven billion billion billion atoms. Wow! Water’s hydrogen atoms form polar bonds to the oxygen atoms to create a web. Huh? Water creates a network that keeps the body’s atoms connected while still allowing them to vibrate in place.

Words are also give great significance in the spiritual realm. Most religions reference, in on form or another, that the power of the word is crucial to the creative process. Christianity notes that God created the heavens and the earth with a word. “God said…”, and it was done. There was no magic wand, no fairy dust, rather simply words that brought all creating into existence. What mighty words! Additionally, the power of the word was bestowed on humans when God created man in His image and likeness, “in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” That includes You, too!

Why are words so powerful?

Has a friend every called you moments after thoughts of him/her popped into your brain? Have you thought about a new car, and suddenly you see it everywhere? Why? Dr. Joe Dispenza, author of “The Thrones of Divinity”, appearing in What the Bleep, states, “Our human brain processes 400 billion bits of information every second; however, we are only aware of about 2000 of those billions of bits of data.” How, then, does the brain determine how to filter the data it receives? Words. Words that are heard, spoken, and thought create receptors, homing beacons, in the brain, which the brain utilizes as a guide to filter information. The brain is a dutiful servant and will focus on what its master tells it to.

How do we choose our words?

The selection criteria for the words we choose to hear, speak, and say is belief. Belief is defined by The Princeton Dictionary as, “any cognitive content held as true”. Notice it carefully distinguishes, “held as true” versus stating “is true”. Beliefs exist solely in the mind requiring validation to exist. and the ego is in charge of collecting information to support the belief system. The ego messages the brain, and the brain creates a filter to collect information to support the beliefs, and, voila! Words. (Please see the upcoming blog, “The Power of Belief” for more information on beliefs).
How can the power of words help for me?

Do you know race car drivers are taught to focus on where they’d like their car to go because it keeps them safe? (Thank You, Tony Robbins, for sharing.) Focus on where you’re going, not where you’ve been or where you are. Both faith and the law of attraction highlight claiming what it is you desire. Why? It keeps your mind focused on where you’d like to be and ultimately determines where you are going. Words create vibrations that attract similar words that attract atoms that group together to eventually form something. The experience your words shape is your choice. Hear, speak, and think only those things you’d like to manifest in your life, and be patient as your thoughts shape your new reality …and enjoy your daydreams in the meantime.

Still skeptical? Okay. Write down a list of ten words – five positive and five negative. Focus on one word for a few minutes. Allow it to roll around in your brain and on your tongue. Think about the meaning that word has for you. Pay attention to how your body responds. Are you breathing deeply or shallowly? Is your posture straight or slouched? Are you smiling or not? Your body is automatically responding to the vibration of the meaning you’ve attached to the word.
What if it seems like nothing is happening?

Research has proven the human brain cannot distinguish between something it has actually seen versus something it has imagined. Images for the brain are incredibly powerful and help determine the words chosen to describe them. It may help to create a clear picture of what you’d like to experience then focus your thoughts on that picture. People sometimes experience resistance when there is a subconscious fear or “worth” issues around receiving. See if you can coax the fear to the surface and shift its focus to what you truly desire because your words will follow. Fear is simply love confused. (I’ll include a helpful tip for this in a future blog). Keep choosing words that affirm abundance, blessing, happiness, health, and wealth in what you hear, speak, and think, and eventually things will shift. Remember, it’s like exercising – you’re likely to see more positive results as things progress.

It’s important to be very clear about the meaning attached to words, specifically that each person attaches individual meaning to words based on their experience. Words’ meanings are the ones the individual chooses to give them. Example: Love is a very powerfully charged word, and most people define love by their first experience of it, which is usually either largely positive or negative. For some it means unconditional acceptance, and they feel nurtured and cherished when someone says, “I love you.” For others, love was wrought with expectation and not measuring up, so they feel insecure and inadequate when someone says, “I love you.” The individual experiences their definition of “love” whenever they hear, speak, or think the word “love”. Be clear about what your words mean by exploring the meaning you attach them, and decide if that’s a meaning you’d like to keep or redefine. Sometimes simply attaching a more positive meaning to a word creates wonderful results.

Can words create world peace?

Research documents people with major medical conditions that defied explanation cured themselves simply by saying aloud several times a day, “I’m getting better and better every day in every way”.

Do you ever wonder if society is being brainwashed by all the negative, fear-based advertising and news in the media? Consider how things would change if media, benefits, concerts, foundations, research centers, walk-a-thons, etc.. began celebrating, honoring, hearing, speaking, and thinking abundance, happiness, health, love, and wealth? What if it was the Susan G. Komen foundation for Breast Health? What if October became Breast Health Awareness month? What if homeless became homebless to focus on them being blessed with homes forthcoming? What if we eradicated the word “victim” and replaced it instead with “champion”? How would the world change if everyone speaks the language of Love?

Please share this message with as many people as possible and join me in starting a global movement of celebrating positive words that inspire, heal, and uplift. Claim your marvelous destiny and what you truly desire – abundance, happiness, health, love, wealth, etc., and you’ll begin to see changes in your life.